This map shows the path of the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line, which began flying across Tampa Bay on January 1, 1914. The flight covered 29 kilometers (18 miles) and took 23 minutes-11 hours less than traveling between St. Petersburg and Tampa by rail. Nevertheless, it lasted only three months.

This photograph shows the first commercial flight over Tampa Bay in the air boat Benoist XIV. Former St. Petersburg Mayor A. C. Phiel (center) paid $400 for the honor of being the first passenger on the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line. Pilot Tony Jannus is on the right; the airline's organizer, Paul E. Fansler, on the left.

This photograph shows the Benoist flying over Tampa Bay. For its St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line, St. Petersburg purchased this Model XIV from St. Louis aircraft manufacturer Thomas Benoist. The airplane could carry one passenger, who sat next to the pilot in the open cockpit. The Benoist was powered by a Roberts 75-horsepower, 6-cylinder, water-cooled engine.

This image shows Earle Ovington, who flew the first flight for the U.S. Postal Service on September 13, 1911 from Long Island, New York. With a full mail bag squeezed between his legs, Ovington took off and flew to Mineola, a few miles away. He banked his airplane and pushed the bag overboard. It fell to the ground and was retrieved by the local postmaster.

This is a photograph of the Lockheed L-188 Electra II, the first U.S. turboprop-powered aircraft. American Airlines began flying them in 1959. However, wing failures caused by excessive vibration resulted in several fatal accidents and flight restrictions. Lockheed solved the problem, but sales plunged. By the time Electras returned to full service, jetliners had superseded them.

This Pacific Southwest Airlines postcard portrays the Lockheed Electra II lounge, located in the rear of the cabin. Airlines began to improve their airplane amenities as commercial air travel expanded.